Anand Bhate

Anand Bhate is an Hindustani classical vocalist. one of the most promising artistes in the new generation of the great Kirana tradition. He started his musical journey in early childhood and continued to present different aspects, such as Hindustani Classical Music, Marathi natyasangeet and devotional compositions. Afterwards, for more than 15 years now, he has been a disciple of the great classical vocalist, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, doyen of the Kirana gharana and a living legend.

Anand was a gifted child prodigy from a family that had a background in classical music as well as Marathi drama. His great-grandfather, famously called Bhatebuva, was known for his prowess in rendering the thumari and natyasangeet. Anand’s father is a devoted fan of Balgandharva, the legendary singer-actor of the Marathi stage during the first half of the last century.

Anand’s natural talent for music blossomed at a very young age. It was Anand’s discerning father who started honing it when he was not yet 10. His two elder sisters, who were also learning music at the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, also used to pitch in. At that time he used to play the bulbultarang, but before long, he could play the harmonium without any tuition. Anand’s father took him to Chandrashekhar Deshpande for systematic training in Marathi natyasangeet. As a result, Anand was soon able to sing various songs from various Marathi musical plays exactly in the manner and style of Balgandharva himself and also started to give public performances.

He gave his first public performance in 1981, at the age of 10, and became a young star almost overnight. Connoisseurs were spellbound by Anand’s luminous rendering of Balgandharva’s gayaki and affectionately conferred on him the ‘title’ Anand Gandharva. In the ensuing few years Anand had many successes. He gave natyasangeet performances on All India Radio as well as on Mumbai Doordarshan and many public performances at various places in India. He cut his first natyasangeet cassette in 1983.